Laptop Power - Direct 12vdc?

[seandepagnier]

my laptop takes 12v, but I use a special supply that takes 10-22v and outputs clean 12v. They are only $3 (from china)

[unbusted67]

Originally Posted by geckosenator

my laptop takes 12v, but I use a special supply that takes 10-22v and outputs clean 12v. They are only $3 (from china)

So it's like more of a power conditioner that an inverter/converter? Do you have links?

[SteveHoiland]

Another thumbs up for Lind power converters. They are robust and carry a 3 yr warranty.

[Shack]

Great Thread. Thanks for all the input. This is my next project.

[SoonerSailor]

Unbusted - Its a bit late, but I got this adapter from this ebay vendor to power my Asus 1000HE, and it has worked very well on our boat so far:
http://tinyurl.com/yllq36n
It will supply up to 2.5 amps of 12v power and is fuse protected.

[Shack]

I checked out Lind Electronics and they have DC-DC adapters that range down to 11v. I have a Toshiba laptop and the AC-DC converter shows an output of 19v, but Lind's DC-DC converters for Toshiba only show a step-up to 15v output.

I'd like to find out if this will be problematic. Based on the threads here, 12v is enough to run the laptop, and anything above that will go to charging the battery. So, 19v vs. 15v shouldn't be a big deal?

I'm almost willing to try it or just purchase their Dell converter that puts out 20v.

[scotte]

Originally Posted by Shack

I checked out Lind Electronics and they have DC-DC adapters that range down to 11v. I have a Toshiba laptop and the AC-DC converter shows an output of 19v, but Lind's DC-DC converters for Toshiba only show a step-up to 15v output.

Drop them an email with your model #, and I bet they'll have exactly what you need - Lind was very helpful and responsive when I ordered ours...

[Captain Bill]

My biggest concern for using 12V directly would be voltage spikes. Big inductive loads on the 12 volt buss can put huge shortlived voltage spikes directly on the buss when turned off. I don't know what you have on board, but engine starter motors, electric winches and windlass', and even LPG gas shut off solenoids can do this. Putting a voltage converter between the laptop and the 12V would help a lot and act as a sacrificial component. Better to have to replace an $80 converter than an $800 laptop.

[Inkwell]

Get an Apple, mine works everyday all day on an inverter when recharging the battery.

[btrayfors]

Originally Posted by Inkwell

Get an Apple, mine works everyday all day on an inverter when recharging the battery.

There are lots of good reasons to get an Apple. This isn't one of them. Why? Because ALL laptops work just fine from an inverter when recharging the battery, though some require a sine-wave inverter output.

Bill

[barnakiel]

Well, depends on the voltage requirement of your laptop.

Still, even with a 12Volt laptop (rare!) you will need a voltage stabiliser to avoid nasty surprises (eg. when charging the batteries and your bat volt is somewhere at 14.8!

b.

[Shack]

I would like to avoid having to use DC voltage to power an inverter to make AC volts, and then rectifying it back into DC through a converter. Seems a little inefficient. (of course it no problem when the gennie is running, but I'd like more flexibility than that.)

@ Scotte - I drop them a line and see what they recommend, thanks.